Drug shortage to affect pets

By Steph Crosier

TRENTON (22/03/2012) Medications at the Quinte Animal Hospital are being stockpiled for future use. At other veterinary clinics vets are slowing replacing their current medications with different variations. Photo by Steph Crosier

Belleville and Quinte West animals may to feel an ongoing drug shortage just as much as people.

Production cuts from Quebec drug company Sandoz has meant shortages in pharmaceutical drugs across the county. Human hospitals as well as pet hospitals are preparing for the worst.

Dr. Olga Peck from Quinte Animal Hospital says that the drug shortage is going to affect multiple aspects of the veterinary care and staff at the hospital. They plan on preserving their remaining supply of discontinued drugs for emergency use only.

“We have to consider our epileptic patients because you cannot suddenly stop their medication,” said Peck. “We will be looking for alternative treatments and going through each patient individually because these medications may not be available to veterinarians for sometime.”

Peck said the shortages will cost their clients.

“We may be able to get some drugs compounded by pharmacies,” said Peck. “But prices for our clients will be effected and these medications will not likely be available for several weeks. ”

“It is not affecting us at the moment,” said Sherry Carette, vet technician at the Rossmore Veterinary Clinic. “In a four or five months maybe, but there are substitutes that we are trying to switch over too.”

Julie Hall, veterinary assistant at the Loyalist Veterinary Hospital, said that their clinic hasn’t been affected yet.

“As of right now we’re hoping it doesn’t,” said Hall. “And we haven’t had any indication from our supplier.”

The Quinte Animal Hospital and Hill Crest Animal Clinic are barking another tune.

“We are expecting to be affected,” said Stephanie Schruder, office manager at Hill Crest. “We are now at a point where have to change our anesthetic injections medications.”